Serotonin

Serotonin (also known as 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that is found throughout the body.^{[Brunton et al., 2006; Stahl, 2013; Purves et al., 2008]} The wide dispersal of serotonergic neurones throughout the brain enables serotonin to be involved in modulating diverse body functions. Body functions modulated by serotonin include:^{[Brunton et al., 2006]}

• mood
• sleep
• cognition
• sensory perception
• pain perception
• movement
• regulation of internal temperature
• appetite
• sexual behaviour
• hormone secretion.

References:
Brunton LL, Lazo JS, Parker KL (eds). Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th edition. McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al. (eds). Neuroscience. 4th edition. Sinauer Associates, 2008.

Stahl SM. Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology. Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications. 4th edition. © Cambridge University Press, 2013.